The Special Collections Library will be hosting its annual exhibit "From Papyri to King James: The Evolution of the English Bible" beginning tomorrow.

"The exhibit shows the transmission of the biblical text from the second century to 1611" said Kathryn Beam, curator of the Humanities collection at the Special Collections Library.

The Special Collections Library, located on the seventh floor of the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library, is the campus" main rare books library. Of the many popular anthologies owned by the library, two of them are the fifth largest papyrology collection in the world.

Among the many items highlighted at the exhibit, there are fragments of Deuteronomy and Matthew written on papyrus. Also included are various Latin and Greek translations, early copies of the letters of St. Paul and the writings of early church leaders such as the Bishop of Sardis and Hermas of Rome.

These documents are written on different types of material such as papyrus, parchment and paper. Many of the different bibles on display will be open to the same page in order for viewers to compare the different styles of text and language used as time changed.

"People can see a 2,000-year-old document and how the text was preserved on different types of surfaces," said Peggy Daub, head librarian at the Special Collections Library.

Classical studies Prof. Traianos Gagos, archivist of the papyrology collection, said that among the most precious documents that will be shown in the exhibit are the different papyri, many of which were obtained on archaeological explorations in the early 20th century.

These documents follow the rise of Christianity during the first three centuries. Among them, the 30 leaves of St. Paul"s letters are the earliest known copies of the letters.

This exhibit has been brought back each winter since 1983, mainly because of popular demand. The exhibit usually receives many visitors, including students of all ages and church groups.

"There are two reasons why this exhibit is an annual event. First, to share wonderful treasures that the University of Michigan has with a wide audience, and the second because of the hundreds of people who look for this exhibit every year to return and bring other people," Beam said.